Instructional Update 1/13/2021
Bisbee USD will remain in distance learning status at this time. This decision is based on Cochise County’s Covid-19 spread status falling in the substantial range in all three benchmarks. This past week the number of new cases has continued to increase along with the test positivity rate and hospitalizations remaining at a high level. We are anxious to get our students back to in-person learning but we will continue to follow the recommendations of the Arizona Department of Health Services. Hopefully we will start to see the community spread decline in the next few weeks as the vaccine becomes more readily available. All campuses will continue to provide instruction through Google Classrooms and provide on-site learning space for students needing these services. We encourage all parents who have children that are struggling with the on-line format to utilize the on-site services. Transportation will continue to be provided to those that need it to access the on-site learning and food service will continue to have breakfast and lunch available for students on campus and for pick up for those in remote learning. At this time, we anticipate that we can return to a hybrid learning in person format on February 16th. We continue to prioritize getting our students back into the classrooms as soon as safely possible, based on the state guidelines. Additionally, we have made the decision to cancel winter sports which includes basketball and wrestling for our High School and Junior High Campuses. Spring sports are still planned to go on as normal starting in March.
COVID-19 Testing Updated
Embry Health / TestNow plans to continue the Covid Testing through the start of 2021. Based on communication from them they will be on site testing 7 days a week from 7:00a.m. to 5:00p.m. We recommend that you go to their website to pre-register to verify time available and to verify that they are on-site. https://embrywomenshealth.com/covid-19-testing/
Flu Season
Cochise County is starting to see cases of the flu. The flu most severely affects the young and old. Rapid flu testing (as little as 15 minutes) is available at CQCH ERs and clinics, as well as Chiricahua Health Centers. Influenza and COVID-19 have different medical treatments so it is important to distinguish between them. Flu vaccines are available, safe and effective in reducing the transmission and the severity of the disease. It is all the more important this year in an effort to prevent the U.S. healthcare system from being overwhelmed with both COVID-19 and influenza hospital/ICU admissions. Flu vaccines are currently available for free or with no co-pay at CQCH clinics in Douglas, Bisbee, Palominas and Tombstone. Chiricahua Health Centers have it available on a drive-thru basis for their patients. Virtually all of the pharmacies in Cochise County have flu vaccines, often free. The Cochise County Health Department will be starting flu vaccine clinics in the near future.
Food Service
Bisbee USD has been approved to offer school meals under the summer meal program guidelines. This allows us to serve meals for free to all students. Students working remotely at home can pick a meal during lunch time at their campus.
